The Premier League champions went back top of the Premier League after sweeping aside Southampton at the Etihad. The hosts dominated the entire contest and Cancelo got the first goal after 20 minutes before Foden made it two just after the half-hour. Mahrez and Haaland added second half goals to complete the victory. Southampton remain 16th, just one point above the drop zone.
Man City dominated from the off and Riyad Mahrez was denied by goalkeeper Bazunu inside two minutes. The City pressure continued and Guardiola's men nearly scored with 13 minutes on the clock, but Haaland surprisingly struck the post when he was one on one with the goalie.
After 20 minutes, the hosts finally made the breakthrough when Foden picked out Cancelo and the Portuguese ran past Ward-Prowse before firing into the far corner. In the 32nd minute, moments after Foden was denied by Bazunu, the Englishman got on the scoresheet. De Bruyne ran forward and passed to Foden in the box who chipped Bazunu to make it two.
The Saints were outplayed in the first half and were unable to test Ederson in the Man City goal. The only opportunity they had came just before half-time when Adam Armstrong picked out his namesake Stuart and the Scot hit over the crossbar. It was 2-0 at the break and the home side were in complete control.
Mahrez sealed the points early in the second half when Cancelo got into the box and laid off for Rodri who put a perfectly weighted pass for Mahrez to volley home. Then, 25 minutes from time, Haaland got his customary goal after Cancelo played a one-two with De Bruyne before squaring for Haaland to hit home.
Grealish and subsitute Palmer nearly added a fifth and Man City used the remainder of the contest to ring the changes. As for Southampton, their attention now turns to the home game with West Ham next Sunday.
October 8, 2022